Pete's Dragon 2016 is modern and still throwback

I saw this film in Russian. Something may have been lost in translation.

Disney’s reimagining of its 1970’s classic Pete’s Dragon could have easily been a sequel. The story is completely different from the Helen Reddy/Mickey Rooney version and deserves to be treated on its own. However, that doesn’t mean that this new incarnation is a totally new movie. Indeed, it has scenes that are reminiscent of the Neverending Story’s Falcor, this year’s Jungle Book and the mob scene in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

Elliot is a cross between a cat and a dog while still being a dragon. He is cute but can be menacing. Pete is well played by Oakes Fegley, who can let out a heart-wrenching howl that crosses languages. The biggest thing about this film is that there seems to be no real bad guy. Keith Urban plays kind of a jerk, and in the beginning, there is a Fern Gully vibe as it appears to be loggers versus the forest, but by the end… You’ll just have to see the film to find out how it all works out.​Pete’s Dragon is likable and nice in the same way that Baymax, Olaf and Winnie the Pooh are. The reveal of Elliot happened too quickly, and there is no pandering to fans of the old film, so if you are one of them, just be prepared to enjoy the ride. The 3D rendition is a little dark. See it in 2D and you will do just fine.